Headsets May Lift Phone Radiation To Brain
The Age
Wednesday April 5, 2000
Headset kits designed to protect the health of mobile phone users can increase levels of radiation to the brain, according to controversial new research.
A study commissioned by Britain's Consumers Association has found that two headset kits acted as aerials, channelling three times as much radiation from the mobile telephone into the user's head.
Sales of hands-free headset kits have rocketed amid reports linking mobile phone use to ill health, including possible brain tumors.
But test results from Which?, the association's trading arm, showed the devices did not provide protection from radio frequency radiation.
``If you are worried about levels of radiation from your mobile phone, you shouldn't rely on a hands-free set," said Mr Graeme Jacobs, the editor of Which? magazine.
However, Mr Ian McAlister, the manager of radio communications standards at the Australian Communications Authority - the telecommunications industry regulator - was sceptical about the study's findings.
``If someone can replicate that result and they are published in a peer review, they may have discovered something, but I seriously doubt it," he said.
``I view this research with scepticism. Hands-free accessories are very valuable for people who want that additional precautionary measure.
``I don't see reason at this point to start throwing them away."
Mr McAlister said a link between mobile phones and any adverse health effects, including cancer, was yet to be established.
At extremely high levels, radio frequency radiation can burn human tissue. But radiation levels from mobile phones were insignificant in comparison, he said.
In response to community concerns, the Government set a standard for acceptable levels of radiation emitted from all electronic equipment, including mobile phones, in February last year.
Australia - which has one of the highest mobile phone ownership rates in the world - is also one of eight countries contributing to a World Health Organisation study into possible links to cancer.
A $1 million government-funded study at Flinders University in South Australia is also investigating whether mobile phones can affect cancer rates in mice.
Australia's health exposure radiation standard is now under review by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
A spokeswoman for the Australian Consumers Association, Ms Gail Kennedy, said the use of hands-free sets should be minimised by those concerned about possible adverse health effects until the British test results were verified.
The association's website advises mobile phone users with radiation fears to invest in a hands-free headset. -- with AFP
© 2000 The Age
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